The Man-Made Wonder in Massachusetts Is the Definition of a Hidden Gem

You don’t typically hear a lot of chatter about Conway, Massachusetts. You might not even know where it is. This beautiful small town located in Franklin County has a population of less than 2,000 people. Conway is rich in agriculture and has many opportunities for outdoor fun.  And there is one more thing you may want to know about Conway. This rural hideaway is home to Burkeville Covered Bridge, the oldest covered bridge in Massachusetts. 

I just love covered bridges. When I was younger, my father and I tried to visit every covered bridge in New Hampshire. Although we barely made a dent in the list, these trips hold important memories for me. I adoringly captured photos of these bridges, which I now store in a personal scrapbook that I peruse every now and then.

While Massachusetts does not have as vast of a collection of authentic covered bridges as its neighbor to the north, the state does have its share of beauties, and the Burkeville Covered Bridge is no exception. The bridge, which is located in the former industrial village of Burkeville, was built around 1870. It replaced the site’s original bridge which was heavily damaged by flooding. Despite years of damage from hurricanes, floods, and snow, the Burkeville Covered Bridge remains an iconic fixture in Conway. In 1988, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and it later underwent a major restoration in 2005.

The bridge is extra special because it is one of only a handful of surviving 19th-century covered bridges in Massachusetts. The architectural design of the bridge is also extremely unique. It is rare to find a combination of iron truss and timber design like this one.

A visit to Burkeville Bridge is a must-do when you are in Conway. While it may be closed to vehicular traffic, you can walk or bike through. I suggest spending some time marveling at the interior’s architecture and taking lots of photos from all angles. The quaint church beyond the bridge makes a picturesque backdrop.

Have you taken a trip to see the Burkeville Covered Bridge? How did it compare to other bridges you have visited? For more covered bridge fun, head to Ware to see the Ware-Hardwick Covered Bridge, the longest covered bridge in Massachusetts. To visit multiple bridges in one day, take this scenic Massachusetts Covered Bridge Day Trip. For more information on covered bridges throughout the region, check out the book, New England Covered Bridges by Harold Stiver.